Posts

New research shows that adults may have been onto something when they told you to “stay in school” as a kid. Key Takeaways How much education you receive early in life can affect your cognitive function as you age, new research finds.The review challenges past theories related to “cognitive reserve,” or the mind’s ability to continue to process tasks, maintain memories, etc. despite the effects of aging.Still, researchers note that education can help delay the onset of dementia and that educational attainment early in life can be tied to other factors that affect cognitive decline, like cardiovascular health....

Others are afraid of the dying process. A person with thanatophobia can fear their own death or they might fear the death of someone they love. Thanatophobia is an intense fear of death or dying. For some, this involves a fear of being dead. Fortunately, thanatophobia can be treated, such as by engaging in psychotherapy. This requires first identifying the symptoms, then receiving a formal diagnosis. Symptoms A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder....

Meditation has many benefits, including lowering stress, improving immune function, and slowing mental aging. This age-old practice has become one of the most popular ways to relieve stress among people of all walks of life. Meditation can take many forms and can be combined with many spiritual practices. It can also be used in several important ways It can be a part of your daily routine and help you build resilience to stress....

MDMA is short for 3,4-Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine. It is a stimulant and psychedelic drug that affects the brain in many ways. Notably, it releases neurotransmitters that create pleasurable sensations like relaxation, feelings of love and safety, and increased friendliness. Generally, that is often why people use drugs like MDMA—to alter their mental states, enhance their mood, or cause changes in perceptions. However, when it’s used recreationally, MDMA may negatively impact other parts of the brain that are essential for functioning, learning, or remembering....

Baby monitors are considered an essential tool for most parents of little ones. After all, it’s simply not possible to keep an eye on your baby 24/7, and having a device that allows you to see and hear your baby when you are not in the room with them is worth its weight in gold. That said, not all baby monitors are the same, parents have different needs and lifestyles, and as baby monitors have become more high tech, parents have questions about their security features and susceptibility to cyberattacks....

Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life. Meet Dr. Myron Rolle Dr. Myron Rolle is a former NFL player turned neurosurgeon. In college, he received a Rhodes Scholarship, which caused him to have to make a choice between getting drafted into the NFL or continuing his education....

If you have noticed your toddler grinding their teeth, you may be wondering if the behavior is normal. The unpleasant sound can cause concern, but usually, it’s safe. Only in some cases do you have to step in. Learn why toddlers grind their teeth and when you need to take action for your little one. What Is Teeth Grinding? Teeth grinding is known as bruxism by doctors and is very common in children....

Sleep is divided into four stages. The first three stages are part of NREM sleep, and the fourth stage is REM sleep, during which rapid eye movement occurs. NREM Sleep NREM, or non-REM (rapid eye movement), sleep encompasses the first three stages of sleep. It is characterized by thought-like mental activity and little to no eye movement. Approximately 75% to 80% of sleep is spent in NREM sleep. The first full NREM-REM sleep cycle is typically shorter, lasting around 70 to 100 minutes....

What Is Positive Psychology? Positive psychology is one of the newest branches of psychology to emerge. This particular area of psychology focuses on how to help human beings prosper and lead healthy, happy lives. While many other branches of psychology tend to focus on dysfunction and abnormal behavior, positive psychology is centered on helping people become happier. Positive psychology is designed to “complement and extend the problem-focused psychology that has been dominant for decades,” explained the late Christopher Peterson, author of “A Primer in Positive Psychology” and professor at the University of Michigan, in a 2008 article published in Psychology Today....

What Is Scaffolding? Scaffolding—also known as scaffold learning, scaffold method, scaffold teaching, and instructional scaffolding—is a popular teaching method in early childhood education. It works well when applied alongside other strategies. In construction, scaffolding is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and provide access to the materials necessary for building, maintenance, and repair. The philosophy is similar in educational scaffolding and works almost the same way. The difference is that the goal is to build independence in children....

Doctors and scientists continue to study the risks of a trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC) over an elective repeat cesarean (ERCS). However, vaginal birth after c-section (VBAC) has been shown to be safe for most women, with a few exceptions. If you would like to attempt a VBAC, but your doctor and/or hospital is not willing, the following strategies may help. Know Your Medical History Get copies of your original surgical reports....

You’re enjoying a snack with your baby, who laughs and smiles as you feed her. Suddenly, her face contorts, and she begins to cry. She starts to grab her tongue. It looks like a rash is forming on her skin. You think your child may be having an allergic reaction. “You have to check to see how bad of an allergic reaction is it? Is it just some dots around the mouth or is it attacking the airway?...

When I began teaching middle school three years ago, I made it a point to be out. I’ve been through the chaos and struggle of figuring out my bisexual identity and being confident in it. What’s more, I knew that there would be students who would benefit from seeing an out LGBTQ+ adult in their personal lives. For the first two years, I envisioned encountering homophobic students and faculty, but was mostly fortunate....

“Give Grandma and Grandpa a hug good-bye!” That’s a statement that’s uttered on a regular basis in many family homes. But there’s a good reason you might not want to tell your child to hug or kiss anyone — including relatives. The Problem With Insisting on Hugs and Kisses When you give your child directions, like, “Pick up the toys,” you’re implying there will be a negative consequence if he doesn’t comply....

Just like adults, kids do better when they have clear, written goals. A behavior chart is a great way to share those goals with your kids and motivate them with a fun, visual way to monitor their progress. There are several different types of behavior charts and reward systems that can help you encourage your kids to change their behaviors or stick to a routine. Plus they provide a quick and easy way to keep track of your child’s behavior together as a family....

Kids who seemed confident throughout childhood may struggle to maintain self-assurance during the teen years. For many, adolescence is a time filled with self-doubt, a questionable body image, and insecurity. The good news is, you can take steps to help your teen build self-esteem, which will benefit your teen in a number of ways. Teens who have confidence are better prepared to handle peer pressure, navigate challenging dating relationships, make good decisions, and recover from setbacks....

The activation-synthesis theory is a neurobiological explanation of why we dream. The question of why people dream has perplexed philosophers and scientists for thousands of years, but it is only fairly recently in history that researchers have been able to take a closer look at exactly what happens in the body and brain during dreaming. Origins of the Theory Harvard psychiatrists J. Allan Hobson and Robert McCarley first proposed their theory in 1977, suggesting that dreaming results from the brain’s attempt to make sense of neural activity that takes place during sleep....

Have you found yourself more stressed than usual by politics and the state of the nation lately? Do you worry about the direction that the country is taking, perhaps more now than before? Do you feel this is taking a toll on your emotional state, and even your physical health? If so, you’re not alone. Far from it, actually. And a survey from the American Psychological Association proves it. And if you’re not feeling this way, chances are that the majority of the people around you are feeling this type of stress....

Brief psychotic disorder is the sudden onset of psychotic behavior that lasts less than one month. It’s followed by complete remission, but there’s always a chance that the affected person will experience another psychotic episode. While some individuals who experience brief psychotic disorders may have other mental health issues, like depression or anxiety, there are also ones who appear to be fine prior to their psychotic break. People who experience a brief psychotic disorder may suddenly begin to hear or see things that aren’t there....

What Does the Name Arlo Mean? With no specific origin, the name Arlo has many derivatives and meanings. It is thought to be a variant of the name Harlow and derived from the Anglo-Saxon words; hoer and hlaw, together meaning, “stone or rock hill.” In some regions of England, the name Arlo translates to “fortified hill.” In fact, the name Arlo was first mentioned in the English poet Edmund Spenser’s 1590 poem “The Faerie Queene” as the name of a fictional place name theorized to be derived from the Irish-Gaelic Aherlow meaning “between two highlands....